The Clayworkers’ Guild of Illinois is a dedicated and diverse group of ceramic clay artists and artisans. The Guild exists to provide broad ranging educational, collaborative, and networking opportunities for both its members and for the public. Through various activities, we of the Guild serve the community, while we provide exhibits and workshops. We strive to aid, encourage, advise, and work together to support each other’s endeavors. We always welcome new members and we delight in sharing what we do with interested participants. Along with meetings and social events, the Guild provides its members with informative workshops by visiting artists. Previous topics have included sculpture, thrown and hand-built pottery, professional presentations, health and safety, form, and expression. We also have a collection of videos documenting our workshops which may be borrowed by current members. We are also actively involved in giving back to the community in the following ways-
The Ryan Long Memorial Fund- we have been involved with this cause since 1994. The recipient of the Ryan Long Memorial Fund must be a student of McHenry County College, enrolled in a credit class, and participating in the MCC Student Art Exhibit. The Ryan Long Memorial Fund award consists of a $400.00 cash award (given out to two art students). The cash award may be used for any reason that a student may need to help them further pursue classes in and their love of the arts. This fund has been sustained through the generosity of not only the Guild, but also includes the MCC students, of which quite a few members have continued challenging themselves by taking classes at MCC, and the instructor. The second charity is Empty Bowls. “Empty Bowls” is an international project to fight hunger, personalized by artists and art organizations on a community level. Participating artists and groups create and donate bowls, then serve a simple meal. Guests choose a bowl to use that day and to keep as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. In exchange for the meal, and the bowl, guests contribute a suggested minimum donation. One hundred percent of each meal's proceeds are devoted to local hunger-fighting organizations, such as food banks or soup kitchens, or to national or international charitable groups. The Guild has been a part of this fight by throwing bowls and donating them for over 28 years. Some of the places we have donated to are: WI, Oakton Community College, Harvard High School, and McHenry County College. The Guild was located at the Woodstock Old Courthouse for their “Holiday Sale” for the last 20+ years. Due to the Old Courthouse being renovated, the Guild has found a new full-time, year-round venue for the sale of pottery, painting, glasswork, and jewelry at the “Artisans on Main”, 220 Main Street, Woodstock IL. The Grand Opening was Tuesday March 1, 2022. November thru December 2023- The shop is open Sunday - Thursday from 11:00am-5:00pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00am-7:00pm. We will be CLOSED Wed/Thurs 11/22 & 11/23 for Thanksgiving, and Monday 12/25. Special Events - Lighting of the Square Friday 11/24- Open 11am-9pm, Small Business Saturday 11/25 - Open 11am-8pm, Ladies Night Out Thursday 11/30- Open 11am-9pm.
